Strong Representation, Continued Commitment and a Future-Oriented ISTC

Yerevan, Armenia · 21–22 October 2026

On 21 and 22 October 2026, the Governing Board (GB) of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) held its 83rd meeting at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA) in Yerevan, following the ISTC Special Day held at Yerevan State University (YSU) on 20 October.

A meeting marked by broad representation

The meeting benefited from high-level representation and active participation from all Parties. Special recognition was given to the newly appointed members of the Governing Board and to the continued commitment of long-serving representatives. The Board was further honoured by the presence and keynote remarks of Zhanna Andreasyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia, and Academician Ashot Saghyan, President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.

Representatives attended on behalf of the European Union, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, the Kyrgyz Republic, Norway, Tajikistan and the United States of America:

• European Union: Maria-Rosa Sabbatelli, Head of Unit, Global and Transregional Threats and Challenges, Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), European Commission
• Georgia: Dr. Teimuraz Dochviri, Director General, Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation
• Japan: Fumie Maruyama, Director, International Science Cooperation Division, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA)
• Kazakhstan: Dr. Aliya Sembayeva, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alem.ai Impact Fund
• Republic of Korea: SangHa Woo, Team Head, Horizon Europe Multilateral Cooperation Team, National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)
• Kyrgyz Republic: Prof. Bekmamat Djenbaev, President, National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic
• Norway: Dr. Tamara Zhunussova, Senior Advisor, Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA)
• Tajikistan: Prof. Saidmuqim Ibodzoda, Vice President, National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan
• United States of America: Shawna Wilson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Security Assistance Programs, Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, U.S. Department of State

A renewed Scientific Advisory Committee for a new era

Dr. Kenya Suyama, Chair of the ISTC Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), gave a comprehensive presentation on the changes under way to modernize the Committee. The SAC is one of the ISTC's great strengths and played a crucial role, especially in the early years of the Center. Today, more than ever, the Center must be prepared to adapt quickly to the rapid emergence of new technologies and their applications, which create new opportunities for mitigating risks, as well as new threats. For this reason, new Terms of Reference of the SAC, future-oriented and data-driven, were developed and approved by the Governing Board.

The 2026 Open Call for Proposals

The Board reviewed the updated application and evaluation procedure for the 2026 Open Call for Proposals (OCP), which is the competitive research funding programme designed to promote cross-border research initiatives. Considerable efforts were invested in enhancing the OCP in cooperation with Japan, and an expert panel of Japanese researchers took part in the peer review of proposals.

Support confirmed, future in focus

The Parties confirmed the importance of their contributions and financial responsibilities, and reaffirmed their support to the ISTC. The Board also expressed its full support to the Executive Director, Karina Anguelieva, for her agenda and her efforts, in particular the future-oriented activities on the transition of the ISTC to ISTC 2.0. Discussions also began on the future of the organization: the need to remain future-oriented, to strengthen the ISTC's presence in the region and to increase its visibility. The Board noted that the ISTC is in a transition period following the stewardship of Dr. Ronald F. Lehman II, and that the election of a new Chair, in respect of the rotation of the chair, is now on the agenda. The Board also reviewed the Annual Report and the development of the ISTC's outreach and communication.

Looking back at the ISTC Special Day

On 20 October, the ISTC Special Day at YSU, welcomed with opening remarks by Assoc. Prof. Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, Rector of YSU, gathered policymakers, experts and researchers around strong keynote addresses by Dr. Isabella Maschio of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), European Commission, Dr. Christos Charatsis, ISTC Policy Advisor, and Prof. Quentin Michel of the University of Liège. Two panels, Research and Innovation Delivering for Global Security Challenges, and Dual-Use Research and Emerging Technologies: Solving Challenges or Creating Risks?, brought together strong researchers from Armenia, including Prof. Aram Papoyan, Prof. Karen Trchounian, Dr. Susanna Gaginyan and Dr. Ani Dadayan, among others. The discussions underlined the importance of increasing cooperation with partner countries, particularly within the framework of Horizon Europe, the European Union's research and innovation programme. The ISTC warmly acknowledges the European Union and the JRC for their support and contribution.

About the ISTC

The International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Astana, Kazakhstan, founded in 1992. Its mission is to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and related expertise through peaceful science. Its Parties are Armenia, the European Union, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, South Korea, Tajikistan and the United States of America. Media contact: Jordan Obry, Strategic Communication and Public Affairs Advisor, obry@istc.int